Automobile radiator cap



Aug. 21, 192& H A DENT 4 1,681,843

AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP Filed Nov. 20, 1925 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT A. DENT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; HELENE DENT ADMINISTRATRIX F SAID HERBERT A. DENT, DECEASED.

. AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP.

Application filed November 20, 1325. Serial No. 70,361.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in automobile radiator caps and has for its principal object the provlsion of a device of the character herein described which will be highly efficient in use and economical in manufacture.

Among the salient objects of the invention is the production of a device of this character wherein provision is made to facilitate threading of the meter support into threaded engagement with the nipple of a radiator but which provision will not assist unthreading of the support from threaded engagement with the nipple of a radiator.

A further object'of the invention is the production of a device of this character wherein provision is made to cooperate with a tool to securely tighten the support in threaded engagement with the nipple of a radiator and which will have a tendency to disengage the tool from bearing relatlon with the support when an attempt is made to remove the support from threaded engagement or connection with the nipple.

A further object of the invention is the production of a device of this character wherein the hinged cap embodied 111 the in- ,vention is constructed of a blank formed from a single sheet of material and'operated upon to form a desired contour. In accomplishing this objectthe cap can be made of lightmaterial, small and compact thereby eliminating projecting parts and thiclr metal portions which would interfere with raising the engine hood of a vehicle as is the case where caps for the purposes herein described are the cast.

The invention consists in the combination .and arrangement of parts hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

The invention will be best understoodby' reference to the accompanying draw ng showing the preferred form of construction and in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the invention mounted upon a nipple of a radiator,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. i is a perspective view of the connector embodied in the invention, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the clamping ring embodied in the lnventlon.

In accomplishing the several ob ects of the invention I provide a motometer of any approved type consisting of a mercurial tube. 11 and a threaded extending portion 12. This motometer is fixedly attached to a cap 13 by passing the extension 12 through a central opening 14 formed in the cap and by fixing the extension in this position by means of a nut 15 and a collar 16 having a set screw 17 threaded therein adapted to be threaded into locking relation with the extension. The cap 13 is preferably formed from a blank punched from a single sheet of metal, of substantial thickness, and operated upon to form the desired contour.

As best illustrated in Fig. 1 the cap is hinged as at 18 to a turnable clamping ring 19 having lateral ears 20 formed thereon opposite a cut out portion 21 and provided with aligned holes 22 for the reception of a hinge pin passing through a knuckle 2% formed as an integral part of a finger gripping lip 25 which facilitates manual swinging of the cap on its hinge. The lip 25 is intended to be cut with a fanciful contour for the purpose of beautifying the device; however, it can also be made plain without destroying the appearance or utility of the invention. As shown, the lip is riveted to the cap as at 26 completing the hinged connection between the cap and the clamping ring.

Before the hinge pin 23 is placed in position, the clamping ring is mounted for clamping engagement on a connector or adapter 2'7 and this ring, when positioned thereon, is confined in an annular recess 28 between the annular headings 29, the headings serving to prevent displacement of the ring from the adapter. As will be noted in Fig. 2- the lip 30 is formed on the cap and is ada ted to be sprung over the top beading 29 to have hooked engagement therewith at a point where the cut out portion 21 is located when the clamping ring is mounted in position. This lip serves to retain the cap in closed position and to resist opening thereof.

The adapter. as best illustrated in Fig. 4- of the drawing, is provided with a central opening 31 communicating with the interior of the cap and adapted, when mounted on the nipple 32 of a radiator, by means of threads 83, to communicate with the interior of the radiator with which the nipple is asso ciated. At the outer end of the opening 31 is an annular upstanding ring 34 inset relatively from the outside surface of the adapter to provide a seat .85 for a rubber gasket This ring has oppositely disposed notches 37 formed therein providing curved edges 87 curved downwardly in opposite directions with respect to each other and terminating into cooperating shoulders 38. The shoulders 38 are disposed in reverse position so as to provide bearing edges against which a tool positioned transversely of the opening is adapted to bear against and be manipulated for tightly and securely threading the adapter into threaded engagen'ient with the nipple. As the curved edges do not provide shoulders or bearing edges, it is apparent that the tool cannot be manipulated in the notches to turn the adapter in a direction to remove the same from threaded engagement with the nipple. It will be noted that as the curved edges extend in opposite directions, the tool, when manipulated ina direction to unthread the adapter, will be thrown out of engagement with the notches. This arrangement provides a method for mounting the adapter on the hi vole which is to a hi 'h de ree theft proof.

It is apparent from the description herein that I provide a radiator cap which is simple in construction and which can be mounted in fixed position 011 a radiator nipple by others than those skilled in the art.

Vfhile I have shown and described the predeparting from the spirit of. the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

The invention having been set forth, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. The combination with a radiator nipple, of a cap for the nipple, a finger piece having one end portion providing a knuckle and having inwardly of the knuckle laterally extending ears, said finger pi cc extending upwardly from one side of said cap, means for connecting said ears to said side of the cap, an adapter adapted for connection with the nipple, a member carried by the adapter and having its opposite end portions extending laterally from the adapter, saic knuckle being-disposed between said opposite end portions, and a pin member connecting said opposite end portions to said knuckle.

The combination with a radiator nipple, of a cap for the nipple, a linger piece, an adapter having a threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with the nipple and having means facilitating rotating of the adapter in thread engaging direction withthe nipple but not in an opposite direction, a split ring member embracing the adapter above the nipple, means for connecting the finger piece to the ends oi said ring, and means ior connecting said linger piece to said cap, said finger piece extending upwardly from said cap when said cap is in closing position with respect to the nipple.

in testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HERBERT A. D "T. 

